VinFast Finally Delivers a Handful of SUVs to California Buyers
After delays, layoffs, and less-than-perfect initial reviews, VinFast has finally delivered its first vehicles to U.S. customers. The automaker announced that 45 new VF 8 City Edition EVs made it to customers at nine locations across California, a small portion of the 999 vehicles it imported.
VinFast delayed deliveries to install software updates across the first-run imports and is offering comprehensive after-sales support to customers with roadside assistance, mobile service, and a 10-year battery warranty.
The automaker is hosting test drive events for potential customers across California, but it has a long way to go to break into the rapidly heating U.S. EV market. Last month, VinFast announced 150 layoffs in the U.S., raising questions about its future, but the deliveries are a positive sign that it plans to stay.
VinFast initially announced a quirky battery leasing scheme, in which buyers purchased the EV and essentially rented the batteries separately, but abandoned that plan after much confusion and criticism. The VF 8 City Edition SUVs being delivered have an estimated range of 179 miles and a premium price tag of $50,200. VinFast offers a somewhat reasonable lease scheme with a $399 monthly payment, but the SUV is only available to California buyers.
[Image: VinFast]
Become a TTAC insider. Get the latest news, features, TTAC takes, and everything else that gets to the truth about cars first by subscribing to our newsletter.
Chris grew up in, under, and around cars, but took the long way around to becoming an automotive writer. After a career in technology consulting and a trip through business school, Chris began writing about the automotive industry as a way to reconnect with his passion and get behind the wheel of a new car every week. He focuses on taking complex industry stories and making them digestible by any reader. Just don’t expect him to stay away from high-mileage Porsches.
More by Chris Teague
Comments
Join the conversation
"10-year battery warranty" - cool.
How did these get US certified?
Why on earth would anyone buy one of these rather than an Ioniq 5?
State Farm: "Okay, so last piece of information I need for your new car's policy. What's your VIN number?"
Customer: "8."
State Farm: "It should probably have a few more digits..."
Customer: "Don't get personal with me, Jake -- I'm staring right at it."